Criminal Justice Academy

~This program has been reviewed by the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) and the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and has been awarded the prestigious title of "Model" for meeting or exceeding the National Standards of Practice for Career Academy implementation.

Criminal Justice Promotional Ceremony

Two High School Career Academies Earn National Recognition

6-2008 This spring Atlantic Community High School’s Criminal Justice Academy and Seminole Ridge Community High School’s Construction Academy had their programs reviewed using the National Standards of Practice (NSOP) for Career Academies. The schools spent the first half of the year preparing for the visit. Their preparation included compiling a large amount of information on how their schools have implemented the career academy model. Each school then hosted the evaluation team for a half-day review of the information and interviews of the administration, staff, students, and community supports. The reviewing team included a representative from the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) and the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE). The reviewers assessed the academies using the ten Career Academy National Standards of Practice. These standards were developed by a consortium of persons actively engaged with Career Academies and define what components a standard Career Academy should have to service students successfully. Seminole Ridge Community High School’s Construction Academy received a “Certified” academy award while Atlantic Community High School’s Criminal Justice Academy received the highest award of a “Model” academy.

Criminal Justice Classes Offered

CRIMINAL JUSTICE OPERATIONS I-IV

To read more about these classes, click on our curriculum guide (found under our administration tab) and scroll to page 24.

Atlantic students buy, hand out Thanksgiving dinners to needy families

Sharon Thomas’ Wednesday morning started out with “thank yous,” hugs and a complete Thanksgiving turkey dinner. The Delray Beach resident was greeted outside of her home by Atlantic High students armed with a box full of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and apple pie. “Thank you so much,” she said as she hugged the high school students. “God bless you all.” Thomas was one of more than 20 families who received the turkey dinner thanks to Atlantic High students enrolled in the criminal justice academy. Through the academy, students of any high school grade learn about law enforcement from Delray Beach Police. This is the fourth year the academy has delivered Thanksgiving meals, said Delray Beach Police Officer Daisy Addea. Families in need were nominated by friends or family. The students used their own money to buy the meals from Publix. Thomas said she planned on serving the holiday meal to her five grandchildren, ages 5, 10, 12, 13 and 15. Aurora Gonzalez was also a happy recipient of the Thanksgiving meal. “Oh thank you, is that for me?” Gonzalez asked the students as they handed her the box of food. “Great. We needed it.” Gonzalez, who was about to head to work at a Quiznos sandwich shop, said she thinks her mother nominated her to be a recipient of the dinner. It’s helping families like the Thomases and Gonzalezes that made William Segarra want to participate in the delivery. “You can touch people’s hearts who are less fortunate,” the high school freshman said. Logan Arena, a lieutenant with the academy and a senior in high school, said handing out the dinner is probably the best event the academy participates in. “You really get to help people out,” he said. His father, Sal Arena, an officer with Delray Beach Police, volunteers with the academy and drove some of the students around to the homes. Arena hopes that when the students get older, they’ll look back on today and continue the generosity.

“Obviously the intent is for the families that are deserving and needy,” he said. “But it’s a fantastic experience for the kids.”